Collapsible crib.



J. W. KYLE.

COLLAPSIBLE CRIB.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 4,1918.

1 ,1 22,2@% Patented Dec. 29, 1914.

4 SHEETS-SHHET 1.

THE NORRIS PETERS Coy. FHOTO LITHOH WASHINGTON. D. Cv

J. W. KYLE.

COLLAPSIBLE CRIB.

APPLIOATION FILED mum, 1913.

1 1 22,24 Patented Dec. 29, 1914.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

J. W. KYLE.

GOLLAPSIBLE GRIB.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 4, 1913.

Patented Dec. 29, 1914.

4 SHBETSSHBET 3,

W3 [2 EEEEE THE NORRIS PETERS (30.. PHOTO-LITHQ, WASHINGTON. D C.

J. W. KYLE.

GOLLAPSIBLE CRIB.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 4, 1913.

Patented Dec. 29, 1914.

4 SHEETS'SHEET 4.

J w fl P 4 0 L a K j w im j y m M "H n a V 1 m F TED @TATiE PATENT @FFlfiE.

JOSEPH W. KYLE, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

GOLLAPSIBLE CRIB.

rieaeei.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, J osnrrr WV. KYLE, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of the city of Chicago, county of Cook, and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Collapsible Cribs; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description of the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to the numerals of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

The convenience afforded by a childs crib which may be drawn alongside an ordinary bed for the purpose of giving the occupant of the crib the proper attention is such as to almost make the device a necessity. However, as heretofore constructed, cribs have required a great deal of space when not in use unless made collapsible. Devices when constructed so as to enable an operator to collapse the same, have necessitated in most cases removal of the bedding therefrom or otherwise bothersome labor dependent upon the erection or collapsing operation.

This invention relates to a collapsible crib, the sides and ends of which may be folded and the mattress frame lowered, allowing the crib to be rolled beneath an ordinary bed, the caster legs of the device supporting the same both in collapsed and in erected position.

It is an object of this invention to afford a childs crib which, when erected, is elevated to standard bed height, and which may be collapsed and rolled beneath an ordinary standard bed.

It is also an object of this invention to provide a device equipped with adjustable side rails, either one or both of which may be lowered into a convenient position to admit of ready access to the device.

It is also an object of this invention to construct a collapsible bed with side rails adapted to fold respectively beneath the springs and bedding on the bed frame of the device when the same is collapsed.

It is also an object of this invention to provide a collapsible crib supported upon casters adapted to be collapsed to a relatively low height while constantly supported upon the casters.

It is also an object of this invention to provide a device equipped with side and end rails adapted to collapse above and beneath Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Dec. 29, 19141.

Application filed June 4, 1913. SerialNo. 771,577.

one another respectively, and which cooperate to raise the crib into erected position.

It is also an object of this invention to provide a device in which, when the device is erected, locking means act automatically to lock the same in erected position.

It is also an object of this invention to provide a device equipped with side and end rails of normal height in erected position, and adapted when collapsed to occupy a space of relatively less height.

It is also an object of this invention to provide a collapsible crib wherein the side rails of the same may be moved into collapsing position or dropped into a lowered position to permit ingress thereto from a side without collapsing the device.

It is also an object of this invention to provide a collapsible crib equipped with side and end rails, the side rails of which are movable to permit access to the crib from the side thereof without obstruction, which, when in erected position, are supported by the end rails of the device.

It is also an object of this invention to provide a collapsible crib having extended end members which comprise a portion of the legs of the device and pivotal connections between said end members and the bed frame of the device, whereby actuation of said end members serves to raise or lower the bed frame into erected or collapsed position, as the case may be, the entire device at all times supported upon the caster legs.

It is also an object of this invention to provide automatically operating locking means adapted to lock the device in erected position and retain the same therein until manually released by an operator.

It is furthermore an object of this invention to provide a collapsible crib composed of a few Substantial and pivotally connected members, the operation of which is obvious and capable of performance by a person not having previous experience therewith.

The invention (in a preferred form) is illustrated in the drawings, and hereinafter more fully described.

In the drawings: Figure 1 is a side elevation of a device embodying the principles of my invention with one of the side rails lowered. Fig. 2 is a section on line 22 of Fig. 1. Fig. 8 is a fragmentary detail illustrating the connection between the legs and bed frame and showing the operation in vice.

in collapsed position.

dotted lines. Fig. 4 is a section on line 4-4 of Fig. 2, with each of the side rails shown Fig. 5 is a section taken on line 55 of Fig. 4, with parts omitted. Fig. 6 is an enlarged fragmentary detail illustrating the construction of one of the side rails and showing the same in retracted or collapsed position. Fig. 7 is an enlarged front elevation showing in detail the construction of the sliding pivot members for the side rails. Fig. 8 is a rear elevation thereof. Fig. 9 is an enlarged fragmentary detail illustrating the connection between the caster legs and one of the end members of the device. Fig. 10 is an enlarged fragmentary detail illustrating the locking mechanism for connecting the side and end rails of a device. Fig. 11 is a section taken on line 1111 of Fig. 10. Fig. 12 is a view illustrating the automatic locking mechanism connected on the bed frame and shown in looking position engaging a portion of an end member. Fig. 13 is a view illustrating the locking mech anism taken on line 1813 of Fig. 4, with parts omitted.

As shown in the drawings: The reference numeral 1, indicates the end members of a device and the same are shown constructed of a unitary tubular piece of metal bent to afford the corner posts of a crib, and extending downwardly to afford a portion of the supporting legs therefor. A cross bar 2, extends between the aforesaid corner posts and joined thereto and to the top of said end members are a plurality of bars 3, serving to close the intervening space in the end members in the usual manner. Bolted on each of the leg portions of said members 1, are bracket plates 4, to which are pivotally connected side members 5, of a bed frame. As shown, said side members 5, comprise downwardly facing inturned angle irons with upwardly facing inturned angle irons 6, secured thereto at the ends affording the end members of the bed frame. An integral bar of metal 7, with the ends 8, thereof turned upwardly is pivotally connected to the lower extremities of the members 1, affording thereby the caster legs of the de- A connecting rod 9, is pivoted on the side members of the bed frame at a point near the middle thereof, and is also pivoted to the lower end of said portions 8, to brace the caster legs.

When the bed is collapsed the upper portions of the members 1, fold inwardly toward one another and the legs break at the joints of the extremities of the said members 1, and the caster legs 8, with the caster legs moving outwardly as shown in Fig. 3. However, when the bed is operated into erected position means are provided for locking the same in such position until manually released by an operator. Such means comprise slidable spring actuated locking bolts 10, as illustrated more clearly in Fig. 12, provided with an inclined hook or looking latch 11. The bolts 10, are slidably mounted in apertured lugs 12, formed on or secured to the end members 6, of the bed frame, and said bolts at their inner ends are slotted and engage studs 12, secured on said members 6, thus permitting a. sliding movement of the bolts, the amplitude of such movement governed by the length of the slots in the bolts. Said. bolts are turned outwardly at a point beyond the slots, as indicated at 13, to permit manipulation thereof by the fingers of an operator, and around alined projecting lugs on the ends of said bolts, is wound a spiral compression spring 14, adapted to impel said bolts normally into locking position. Thus as the end members are raised during the erection of the bed, the inclined top surfaces of the extremities 11, of said bolts strike the inner surface of the bracket plates 4, thereby retracting the bolts and a slight outward movement of the member 1, beyond normal serves to elevate the bolt above the bracket plate, thus permitting extension of the bolt, and allowing the same to engage over the upper edge of the bracket plate to lock the end member from collapsing until the bolts are manually retracted.

In order to prevent the joint between the members 1, and 8, from breaking inwardly when the crib is in erected position a lug 15, is provided on the bracket plate 4, adapted to engage over the upper face of the side frame member 5. However, said lug is so disposed as to permit the slight outward movement of the members 1, necessary to bring the locking means upwardly and over the bracket plates to effect an automatic latching of the same. As already mentioned, the side rails are movable both into an elevated and a lowered position, as desired, and may also be moved beneath the bed frame into a concealed position when it is desired to collapse the crib. The side members comprise an upper longitudinal rail or bar 16, and a lower rail or bar 17, said rails being connected at suitable intervals by the rods 18, secured thereto.

Mounted within the bed frame at each end thereof are downwardly inclined transverse rods 19, upon which the side rail members are adapted to slide and be supported. For this purpose the upper flange of the said member 5, is apertured and said rod is bent downwardly and inwardly to afford a hook 20, engaging loosely in said aperture. A suitable lug 19 having an aperture therethrough to receive the other extremity of said rod 19, is mounted upon the end bed frame members 6, and, due to the rigid attachment therein, of the extremity of said rod 19, a resilient effect is gained, thereby normally tending to depress the hook end 20, downwardly through the aperture in the side bed frame member 5.

Referring to Fig. 6, it will be seen that with the side rails retracted beneath the bed springs 21, the hooks 20, are in said lower position, impelled into such a position due to the resiliency of said bar 19. A. pivot member comprising a flanged plate 22, having apertured projecting lugs 23, stamped outwardly therefrom, is slidably mounted upon the rod 19, said rod extending through said apertures in the lugs. Another link or plate 24, pivotally connected to one end of said plate 22, upon the face thereof opposite that from which the lugs 23, project, is likewise provided with an outwardly stamped apertured lug 25, which is in alinement with the apertured flanged extremity 26, of said plate 24. The end connecting rods or bars 18, of said side rail are slidably mounted in the apertured lug 25, and flange 26, and the lower rail 17, of said side rail is adapted to track on an inturned flange 27, of the plate 22, being limited in its move ment therealong by an inturned end flange 28, of said plate. Thus it will be seen by reference to Fig. 6, that when it is desired to extend and elevate the side rail members the operator seizes the top rail 16, thereof, and pulls outwardly upon the same substantially transversely of the crib, and in doing so first moves the rods 18, through the apertured lugs 25, and 26, outwardly, until the rod 17, contacts in its movement the lug 25, whereupon the pivot mechanism, including the plates .22, and 24, respectively, slide outwardly upon the rods 19. The outward sliding movement of the pivot mechanism is limited by the downturned hook 20, which, as said mechanism moves outwardly, is forced upwardly, thus permitting passage of the flange 27, and said plate 22, over the upper surface of the side frame member 5, and projecting the pivot point of the plates 22 and 24:, a slight amount beyond the side frame members 5, as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 6. When such is the case, the side rails may be swung upwardly into a substantially vertical position, the plates 24:, moving therewith and pivoting about the pivots in said plate 22, which maintains its relative position on the rod 19. Of course, inasmuch as the hooked extremity of said rod 19, tends to move' downwardly due to the resilient rigid mounting thereof in said lug 19, the flange 22 is clamped in such position upon the surface of the side bed frame member 5, that the side rail members may be manipulated at will about the pivot point existing between the plates 22 and 24, respectively. It is readily apparent, that inasmuch as the side rail members are slidable in the lugs of the plate 24:, that the members may be moved into an elevated position or dropped into a lowered position with the bottom rail 17, just-clearing the floor and said rail supported upon the lug 26, by means of the top rails 16, both positions being shown, one by each of the side rails in Fig. 1. For the purpose of maintaining the side rail in elevated position a notched and grooved bracket plate 29, is secured near the upper extremity of the corner post member 1, and said top rail 16, of the side rail members is provided with a stud 30, adapted to engage the notch of said bracket plate as the grooved portion thereof supports the top rail therein.

The operation is as follows: When the bed is in erected position irrespective of the position of the side rails the elements are in the relative position shown in Fig. 3. The joint between the elements 1 and 8, is prevented from breaking inwardly due to the lugs 15, on the bracket plate 1, engaging over the upper surface of the side bed frame member 5, and said joint is prevented from breaking outwardly due to the engagement of the locking bolts 10, over said bracket plate a. Any tendency for thejoint to break outwardly would result in a lower ing or downward movement of the side bed frame member 5, and this is prevented by the engagement of the said locking bolts over the bracket 4. Any tendency for the said joint to break inwardly is prevented by the lug 15, inasmuch as such a tendency would cause an upward or elevating .movement of the side bed frame member 5, and, as pointed out, this is prevented by said lug 15, secured or attached to the bracket plate 4'. When the crib is to be collapsed the locking bolts must be retracted, and the end members projecting above the bed frame swung inwardly thereover, thereby breaking the joint outwardly between the elements 1, and 8, and causing a consequent lowering of the bed frame to the position shown in dotted lines in Fig. 3. In such position the end members 1, lie substantially horizontally over the bed frame and bedding, and are supported in such position by the bracket plate 4, and the caster legs 8.

As clearly shown in Fig. 9, the caster legs are integrally connected by means of the bars 7, thus insuring a positive movement of the corresponding members at the respective ends of the crib. Any suitable casters or rollers maybe provided to contact the floor, but for convenience of illustration I have shown only a conventional form of such caster. As already described the side rail members are slidably and pivotally mounted upon the resilient rods or bars 19, so that the sliding pivotal mechanisms supporting said side rail members are retained in either of the extreme positions on said rod, due to the resiliency of the rod in effecting a positioning of the members in the extreme limit of movement thereof. The slidable plate 22, having been pulled to its outer extreme position as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 6, the side rail members may be elevated into a position to complete the inclosure of the crib, or may be dropped downwardly With the lOWGI' rail of said side rail members just clearing the floor, the member in such position being supported by the top rail 16, resting upon the flange 26, of the pivot plate as.

I am aware that details of construction may be varied through a wide range Without departing from the principles of this invention. I therefore do not purpose limiting the patent granted otherwise than necessitated by the prior art.

I claim as my invention:

1. In a device of the class described resiliently mounted rods, side rail members slidably mounted thereon, pivotal means permitting movement of said side rail members about said rod, and means locking said side rail members in elevated position.

2. In a device of the class described a bed frame, end members pivotally connected thereto, side members pivotally and slidably connected thereto, mattress supporting spring connected across said bed frame, and mechanism permitting retraction of the side members beneath said springs and a folding of the end members thereover.

3. In a device of the class described a bed frame, resiliently mounted rods secured thereto, pivotal sliding elements engaged on said rods, and side rail members slidably engaged in said pivotal elements to admit extension or retraction of said side rail members.

4. In a device of the class described a collapsible bed frame and end members, and side rail members slidably and pivotally connected thereto adapted to be retracted between said end members and said bed frame when the same is in collapsed position. 7

5. In a device of the class described a bed frame, end members pivotally connected thereto and adapted to collapse thereover, side rail members adapted to be retracted into a position beneath said folded end members and said bed frame, and resiliently mounted means affording a support for said side rail members.

6. In a device of the class described a bed. frame, end members pivotally connected thereto, side rail members pivotally and slidably connected to said bed frame, and coacting locking mechanism connected on said side rails and said bed end members to hold said side rails in elevated position when the bed is erected.

7. In a device of the class described a bed frame, end members pivotally connected thereto, resilient rods mounted on said bed frame, sliding pivotal mechanism engaged on said rods, and side rail members engaged in said pivotal mechanism adapting said side rails to be retracted into substantially the plane of the bed frame and extended into a position substantially at right angles thereto.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

JOSEPH IV. KYLE.

lVitnesses CHARLES IV. HiLLs, J12, LEON M. REIBs'rEIN.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents. Washington, D. O. 

